Pleasanton RAGE vs. California Storm – May 28, 2024

By: Cara Paton

RAGE’s first home game of the season was well attended with a packed crowd at the Stanford Stadium.

Cal Storm began the first half with the majority of the possession while RAGE maintained their shape and absorbed pressure in the defense, limiting opportunity. In the 9th minute, Cal Storm’s #93 Bourgeois played a one-two with #21 Lancaster which resulted in a shot over the bar. Shortly after, #14 Silva got a head injury so Cal had to play with 10 until she was cleared to return. In the 13th minute, #93 Bourgeois crossed to #9 Japic for a header that went out off of a RAGE player. #93 Bourgeois played the following corner short to #51 Villa who played it back to her, but #93 Bourgeois’s shot was saved by #0 Todd. #93 Bourgeois went for another solo attempt and she hit the top corner but yet again #0 Todd saved it.

With 10 minutes remaining in the 1st half, Cal Storm’s #21 Lancaster hit a shot on the near post that was headed out by RAGE. From the resulting corner kick #90 Hauk scored at the back post amidst a lot of commotion in the penalty box. In the final minutes, Cal got 2 free-kick opportunities outside the 18-yard box. #10 Porter hit the crossbar from the 30-yard line and later a freekick at the 25-yard line by #10 Porter was blocked by RAGE’s wall. In the final 40 seconds of the first half, RAGE got their first corner taken by #20 O’Sullivan which did not trouble the Cal goalkeeper. The first half ended 1-0 to Cal Storm.

At the start of the 2nd- half, RAGE changed from a 5-back to a 4-back giving them more opportunity up front. RAGE had the majority of the possession starting the 2nd half and managed to force a corner kick. #23 Ko crossed the ball in and it was headed clear only as far as #3 Lek-Miro whose shot went wide for a goal kick. Improving on the first-half performance, RAGE created more attacking plays, resulting in multiple corners, yet nothing reached the back of the net. Cal increased their pressure and got more opportunities themselves.

At the 60-minute mark, #16 Isgrig passed to #14 Silva whose run down the wing was closely contested by #23 Ko who tackled #14 Silva as she was shooting. The near-post shot was saved by #0 Todd, however, the referee called for a penalty. #90 Hauk stepped up and hit the ball left and low and #0 Todd was unable to save. The score stood at 2-0 to Cal at 60 minutes.

The game became more back and forth as both teams created opportunities and took shots on goal. #6 Pelegrin on RAGE got a corner but it was headed over the crossbar. Later on, #0 Todd did a throwout to #17 Larez but #93 Bourgeois intercepted and got a shot off that went wide. RAGE definitely created more set-piece opportunities but was unable to score. In the final 6 minutes, after an exciting spell of play, Cal Storm’s #11 Long did a cross from the left to #2 Mayo who scored with a nice finish. RAGE had more opportunities towards the end of the match, but it wasn’t their night in front of goal.

The final score stood at 3-0 to Cal Storm. Both teams fought hard and played great quality soccer.